No OS installed, need to do a factory restore.

[jmanwithplan]

No I don't have those settings. The BIOS is very limited for the Dell Inspiron One 2305.

BTW, for some reason it started from safemode from the USB... that's weird?

I still get the blue screen of death

 

[Kaktussoft]

you can try UNetbootin - Homepage and Downloads and poot ubuntu (linux) on bootable usb. quite easy.

 

[jmanwithplan]

I'm going to take it to the repair shop today. Thank you for your help.

 

[Kaktussoft]

No I don't have those settings. The BIOS is very limited for the Dell Inspiron One 2305.

BTW, for some reason it started from safemode from the USB... that's weird?

I still get the blue screen of death

not weird at all! that's normal after crash

 

[jmanwithplan]

Yes, If they arn't able to fix it then I will try ubuntu again. Thank you for being so patient with me.

 

[Kaktussoft]

another option is UNetbootin - Homepage and Downloads and load Free download Magic Partition Manager Software, partition magic alternative, free partition magic, partition magic Windows 7 and server partition software - Partition Wizard Online the last download "bootable cd" with it from disk.

 

[gregrocker]

If the Win7 Download tool will not write the stick correctly, use Universal USB Installer with Win7 in Dropdown menu.

Did you reset the BIOS to defaults as I specifically laid out for you if you had problems booting the stick? Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS. Unplug all other HD's and peripherals.

Then in BIOS setup set the SATA controller to AHCI to try install. If that fails try IDE mode.

Set HD to boot first, then trigger flash stick using Dell F12 key at boot.

If these fail, remove all but 2gb RAM to try install. Swap RAM sticks. Look for debris in slots. Then test your RAM - Test with Memtest86+. The CD will boot itself.

Next test the HD using maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan which will also autostart. Wipe the HD using quick wipe after test. If install fails try creating a partition to mark Active using step 2.2 here: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation.

Don't be a quitter. We haven't even worked through half of the troubleshooting steps for failed installs, and we always get it installed if you are motivated and willing to do the work. Otherwise pay hundreds of dollars to a shop to get an inferior install.

 

[jmanwithplan]

If the Win7 Download tool will not write the stick correctly, use Universal USB Installer with Win7 in Dropdown menu.

Did you reset the BIOS to defaults as I specifically laid out for you if you had problems booting the stick? Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS. Unplug all other HD's and peripherals.

Then in BIOS setup set the SATA controller to AHCI to try install. If that fails try IDE mode.

Set HD to boot first, then trigger flash stick using Dell F12 key at boot.

If these fail, remove all but 2gb RAM to try install. Swap RAM sticks. Look for debris in slots. Then test your RAM - Test with Memtest86+. The CD will boot itself.

Next test the HD using maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan which will also autostart. Wipe the HD using quick wipe after test. If install fails try creating a partition to mark Active using step 2.2 here: SSD - HDD Optimize for Windows Reinstallation.

Don't be a quitter. We haven't even worked through half of the troubleshooting steps for failed installs, and we always get it installed if you are motivated and willing to do the work. Otherwise pay hundreds of dollars to a shop to get an inferior install.

I've retested to factory defaults, and tried different options in the BIOS such as AHCI (It didn't have IDE or RAID) but I think it was called ACI?

I didn't want to do anything inside because it would void the hardware warranty which I still have a year on. I ran diagnostics with the included tool and it didn't find any problems.

I appreciate your help, but it's in the repair shop now. My ISP fixes them so I get a big discount.

 

[Kaktussoft]

Universal USB Installer – Easy as 1 2 3 | USB Pen Drive Linux
gparted is listed as well! you could have created a bootable usb stick with gparted on it.
manual GParted -- GParted Manual
You could have "Manage flags" on RECOVERY partition to mark it active and boot from that partition.

But for now I hope they fix it for a reasonable price.
Good luck mate